Hawaii volcano costing local taxpayers $14.5M

West Hawaii Today reports the money is mostly being spent on construction costs for emergency access roads.

Reopening Chain of Craters Road where it was buried by past lava flows could cost $12 to $15.5 million. That project would connect communities to the rest of the island, which is important if the lava crosses another road. It's expected to be done in early December.

The county also spent $3 million to open Government Beach Road, which was a one-lane dirt road, and to connect Railroad Avenue between two sub-developments.

Officials hope to reopen parts of Pahoa Village Road that had been closed because of the looming lava threat in time for the Thanksgiving Day holiday.

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